KANSAS CITY, Mo. — While basketball coaches from every other Big 12 school sat at their assigned media-day tables for a full hour Tuesday morning, Texas' Rick Barnes was the lone absentee. Ostensibly delayed because of a digital network interview, Barnes eventually made it to the Sprint Center floor in time to speak for only eight minutes.

That wasn't a problem, though. As it turned out, we'd been unwittingly listening to Barnes — through one of his UT colleagues — for weeks.

It's no secret that Barnes and Longhorns football coach Mack Brown have seen better days. Few coaches nationally enjoyed more success than they did during the first decade of this century, but about four years ago, things started to slip. Neither program has fully recovered.

And neither coach considers himself faultless:

“It all happened on my watch, so I'll take the blame for it.” — Barnes, Tuesday.

“I'm responsible for it.” — Brown, Sept. 11.

Last season, Barnes' team slogged its way to a losing record and missed its first NCAA tournament in 16 years. The team's attitude suffered, and when it was over, UT's top four scorers transferred or turned pro.

Brown experienced a sudden personnel change, too. After watching his defense give up more yards than any team in school history last year and give up 550 rushing yards last month at BYU, Brown dismissed defensive coordinator Manny Diaz.

How might one categorize their struggles?

“What we were going through wasn't acceptable.” — Barnes, Tuesday.

“It was unacceptable. We needed to get it fixed, and we needed to get it fixed now.” — Brown, Sept. 9.

But what about the displeasure of the fans? Barnes' team enters this season picked eighth in a 10-team conference, and Brown's squad has been unranked since suffering back-to-back blowout losses last month.

Can either coach stay in a good mood that way?

“I'm not happy where we are.” — Barnes, Tuesday.

“I'm not very happy with me right now. I might boo me.” — Brown, Sept. 16.

OK, let's move on to the question of job security. UT is searching for a new athletic director, and there are growing rumblings that whoever the school hires will make major changes in the athletic department.

Surely there has to be some added pressure amid reports that a coach's employment might be in jeopardy, right?

“If I let that be on my mind, I would not be able to do my job.” — Barnes, Tuesday.

“If I had worried about what every article said in 16 years at Texas, I wouldn't have had time to coach.” — Brown, Oct. 9.

Still, outside negativity abounds. Barnes' Longhorns feature only 10 scholarship players, none of whom have averaged seven points per game, and no incoming freshman who was ranked among the nation's top 80 prospects.

In that regard, their hopes look even bleaker than a football team that lost its best linebacker, a key cornerback and its starting quarterback.

So what can a coach realistically expect?

“I do know one thing — we're going to be OK. We've got a chance, because of the attitude and the work ethic we have. I like this group.” — Barnes, Tuesday.

“I still think this team's got a great shot. We've got a chance in every game left because I've seen it. It's a great group of young people trying. ... I'm enjoying this team.” — Brown, Sept. 18.

Brown hasn't lost a game since. Soon we'll find out if Barnes can imitate that part, too.